Obituaries
TOVA (GITA) YURMAN
Tova Yurman (nee Meiselman) passed away at Simkin Centre on September 24, 2019, after suffering from dementia for many years. Her husband, Sam (Shlomo) Yurman visited her daily until his death and her son, Ron was by her side day after day. She is survived by her son, Ron Yurman (Anita Wortzman), granddaughters, Lexie and Haley Yurman, sister-in-law, Hedva Yurman and her many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews in Canada and Israel.
Tova was born in 1928 in Chernovitz, Romania. Her first thirteen years she lived with her parents Chana and Aryeh Meiselman and older siblings Favel and Heny. In 1941 the Jews in her town were taken from their homes and forced into a German work camp. Her brother fled to Russia. Chana and Aryeh did not survive the march. Tova and Heny ended up in a camp in the Transnistria area. They survived their 3-year internment by knitting for the Germany army, providing them with scraps of food. In 1945, Tova and Heny were liberated. Tova had loss of vision in one eye, among other ailments. They journeyed to Chernovitz and discovered their home had been overtaken by the communist regime and Favel was not to be found. Tova traveled to Holland, as part of a group of 500 Jewish children recovering from wartime atrocities. She was a leader for the group, caring for the younger children. Tova and Heny then chose to immigrate to Israel to start a new life.
Tova learned Hebrew and served in the Israeli Air force. After the 1948 War of Independence, Tova got a job as an IBM keypunch operator for El Al airlines. In January, 1955 Sam and Tova were married and settled in Winnipeg. Tova took English lessons and worked at Great West Life. She became an integral part of the Yurman family and was described by her nieces and nephew as the “…hip, cool, fun aunt”.
Tova gave birth to Chana, named after her mother. Chana was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease and passed away at 18 months. Sam and Tova were blessed with a second child – Ron. Despite all of the past tragedies in Tova’s life, she lived to enjoy life. She was an artist who expressed herself through oil painting, pillow lace, knitting, baking and sculpting. In the late 1960’s, to Tova’s joy her brother Favel was located in Russia and emigrated to Israel with his family.
Sam, Tova and Ron moved to Israel in 1972. Many relatives and friends from Winnipeg would visit and stay at the house in Israel and experience Tova’s food, her garden and art.
By 1995, Tova had two granddaughters in Winnipeg. She and Sam flew to Winnipeg regularly to visit them. In 2005, they moved to Winnipeg full time. Tova connected with her grandchildren through art. She expressed her love through pillow lace creating designs, including an Israeli piece that she bestowed on the President of Israel, Ezer Weizman. Tova was resilient and had an unparalleled zest for life. Notwithstanding the loss of her parents, her home, and her daughter, she had a drive for life that defies explanation. She learned new languages, created art and made new friendships. There was nothing she would not do for friends and family and she was a lot of fun. This is the way we will remember her.
The family thanks the Simkin Centre (2nd floor) staff for the compassionate care provided to Tova and to Nila who was by Tova’s side caring for her daily. A graveside service was held at Shaarey Zedek cemetery on September 26, 2019. Pallbearers were Lexie Yurman, Haley Yurman, Isaac Thau, Reuben Potash, Michael Eleff and Jason Wortzman. The family also thanks Rabbi Mass for his kind words. Donations in Tova’s memory may be made to the Lexie and Haley Yurman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| Patricia Charad | Rut bat Avraham v’Sarah | 19/03/1927 | 15/10/2026 | 5 Cheshvan 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Debra Lynn Hirsch | Devorah Leah bat Tuvyah v’ Chaya Mindel | 10/09/1953 | 08/10/2026 | 27 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Harry Kaplan | Tzvi ben Gershon Yosef v’Dina | 16/03/1931 | 29/09/2026 | 19 Tishrei 5787 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Maurice Azuelos | Moshe ben Yehuda | 15/08/1943 | 29/09/2026 | 18 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lillian Burke | Leah Dvorah bat Shmuel v’Basia | 31/05/1928 | 28/09/2026 | 17 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Zinaida Pinski | Zinaida bat Michael v’Rachel | 22/12/1946 | 27/09/2026 | 16 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Aarona Perlov | Aharona bat Eliyahu v’Liba Freida | 11/05/1950 | 25/09/2026 | 14 Tishrei 5787 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Beth Shore | Bat Sheva bat Susman v’ Craindel | 30/12/1939 | 23/09/2026 | 12 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sydney Herbert Weidman | Shimshon ben Moshe Leib v’Shoshana | 24/01/1962 | 18/09/2026 | 7 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Danny Rich | Dan ben Sender v’Mindel | 30/04/1938 | 17/09/2026 | 6 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| June Marie Black | Zahava bat Avraham v’Sarah | 30/06/1931 | 16/09/2026 | 5 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Ruth Billinkoff | Rachel bat Moshe v’Shaindel | 25/04/1928 | 15/09/2026 | 4 Tishrei 5787 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Adele Heidinger | Odela bat Avraham V’Freida | 14/05/1924 | 11/09/2026 | 29 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Fred Arnold Rosenblatt | Ephraim ( Freidel Chuna) ben Zvi haKohen v’Gusta | 10/12/1947 | 10/09/2026 | 28 Elul 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Jack Shrom | Yaacov ben Aryeh Leib v’Rachel | 02/03/1931 | 08/09/2026 | 26 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Raymond Richard Green | Reuben Rafael ben Leib Natan v’Yetta | 04/02/1951 | 31/08/2026 | 18 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rhoda Kravetsky | Tziril Tovah bat Mendel v’Doba | 21/05/1948 | 29/08/2026 | 16 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Brent Drew Cohen | Binyamin ben Zvi ha’Kohen v’Esther | 02/10/1958 | 28/08/2026 | 15 Elul 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Liza Lyuber | Laya bat Lazer v’Malka | 05/12/1926 | 28/08/2026 | 15 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Michael Tennenhouse | Melech Shimon ben Hersh Tzvi v’Gileh | 22/04/1949 | 28/08/2026 | 15 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Inf |
| Lillian Neaman | Leah Rivka bat Eliyahu v’Chana | 16/02/1934 | 21/08/2026 | 8 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Malik Juravsky | Melech ben Levi Yitzchak v’Luba | 24/03/1931 | 19/08/2026 | 6 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Harvey Appelle | Chaim Tzvi ben Yehoshua v’Bayla | 08/05/1940 | 15/08/2026 | 2 Elul 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Mordy “Buddy” Brownstone | Mordechai Leib ben Yishia v’Machla | 28/07/1926 | 11/08/2026 | 28 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Karen Leslie Gomori | Gayla bat Shlomo haLevi V’Chaya Sarah | 15/02/1950 | 10/08/2026 | 27 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rhona Shnier | Rachel bat Shaul v’Chana | 04/07/1927 | 09/08/2026 | 26 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Belle Burke | Bluma bat Zalman v’ Sara Elka | 12/05/1926 | 06/08/2026 | 23 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Reesa Gail Langhans | Reesa bat Yishayahu haKohen v’Faigel Tzipora | 17/09/1948 | 06/08/2026 | 23 Av 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Gerald Kalef | Gershon ben Yitzchak v’Chana | 24/06/1928 | 01/08/2026 | 19 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Arthur Joseph Nitikman | Aharon Yosef ben Yisrael v’Devorah | 17/05/1940 | 29/07/2026 | 15 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sheldon Berney | – | 06/10/1936 | 28/07/2026 | 14 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Arthur Arkin | Avraham ben Yitzchak haLevi v’Sarah | 22/05/1927 | 24/07/2026 | 10 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Dick Bell | Daniel ben David v’Chana | 28/12/1927 | 19/07/2026 | 5 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Reesa Nerman | Rivka bat Shlomo v’ Shaindel Leah | 30/05/1954 | 18/07/2026 | 4 Av 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Garry Israel Frankel | Gershon Israel ben Shlomo Moshe v’Miriam | 14/08/1953 | 13/07/2026 | 28 Tamuz 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Caroline Shelley Raber | Tzipi bat Yisrael v’Ita | 30/01/1955 | 11/07/2026 | 26 Tamuz 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Estelle Meyers | Esther Tzivia | 26/10/1941 | 10/07/2026 | 25 Tamuz 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Alice Grace Lazar | Sarah bat Avraham v’Sarah | 27/12/1926 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Paula Wolfman | Piya bat Mordechai v’Esther | 15/09/1953 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Sharon Ricki Feuer | Sharona Rivka bat Avraham v’Sarah | 14/05/1940 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Neil Margolis | Nissan ben Chaim Nechemia v’Deveorah | 29/07/1936 | 01/07/2026 | 16 Tamuz 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sheldon Paul Nemy | Solomon ben Moshe haKohen v’Rachel | 01/04/1947 | 23/06/2026 | 8 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Cemetery | More Info |
| Murray Kadys | Moshe ben Shmuel v’Bayla | 12/01/1945 | 19/06/2026 | 4 Tamuz 5786 | Beit Chayim Mikdash Shalom, Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage Ave | More Info |
| Richard Gordon | Yitzchak ben Yaakov v’Dina | 06/11/1943 | 14/06/2026 | 29 Sivan 5786 | Grays’ Ridge Cemetery, Alonsa MB | More Info |
| David Harold Diamond | David ben Avraham Yehoshua haLevi | 08/04/1929 | 09/06/2026 | 24 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sidney Green | Simcha ben Aharon v’Rosa | 01/08/1929 | 07/06/2026 | 22 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Cecile Kowall | Tzivia bat Shlomo David v’ Sluva Mata | 24/05/1935 | 03/06/2026 | 18 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Joan Hargrave | Chana Henya bat Binyamin Mayer haLevi v’ Miriam Dina | 14/07/1953 | 01/06/2026 | 16 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Irwin Barry Stronger | Yitzchak Dov ben Matityahu v’Baila | 16/09/1941 | 31/05/2026 | 15 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| David Ivan Cohen | David Yitzchak ben Yaakov Moshe v’Sara Liba | 06/06/1956 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Maxine Hochman | Tziporah bat Shmuel v’Esther | 31/12/1940 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Alvin Murray Zivot | Avraham Moshe ben Yaakov v’Leah Miriam | 03/08/1931 | 27/05/2026 | 11 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Tova Vickar | Tova bat Nachum v’Yenta | 24/08/1949 | 22/05/2026 | 6 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Karen Leipsic | Chaya Tova bat Kalman v’Raizel | 03/04/1944 | 21/05/2026 | 5 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Lee Dana | Fayge-Leah bat Moshe BenZion v’Chaya | 05/10/1936 | 17/05/2026 | 1 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Betty Brina Simon | Bayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam | 27/07/1935 | 15/05/2026 | 28 Iyar 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Basia Bayla Fliegel | Bayla bat Leib | 31/05/1930 | 13/05/2026 | 26 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gary Rayburn | Gershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha | 21/09/1965 | 09/05/2026 | 22 Iyar 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Ray Schnoor | Raizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel | 13/06/1927 | 05/05/2026 | 19 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gila Ruth Fainstein | Rachel bat Kiva v’Leah | 25/06/1935 | 04/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Toby Schwartz | Chaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana | 16/07/1932 | 01/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rachel Wolman | Rachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka | 03/02/1962 | 24/04/2026 | 7 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Leah Gitlin | Laya bat Yosef v’Frayda | 04/09/1926 | 08/04/2026 | 21 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lin Joseph Rosenbaum | Yosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah | 17/10/1952 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Norman Stein | Nachum ben Avraham v’Chaya | 10/06/1932 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Marvin Saul Silver | Menachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel | 20/11/1941 | 05/04/2026 | 18 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Kimberley Dawn Kirshenbaum | Isabella bat Avraham v’Sarah | 09/12/1969 | 03/04/2026 | 17 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Walter Ganetsky | Zev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah | 23/09/1940 | 02/04/2026 | 15 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Lorelei Camille Lavitt | Rachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa | 11/04/1936 | 26/03/2026 | 8 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Melvin Myers | Moshe ben Chaim v’Rachel | 24/04/1936 | 24/03/2026 | 7 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Obituaries
FREDDY ARNOLD ROSENBLATT Dec. 10, 1947 – Sept. 10, 2026
It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Freddy after a brief, but valiant battle with cancer. His beloved wife Roberta, his dear son and daughter Aaron and Rachel, and his devoted brother Hymie, were by his side. Also left to mourn are Freddy’s brother-in-law Sherman (Anna) and Rachel’s partner Jeff.
Freddy was predeceased by his parents Gusta and Harry, his oldest sister Miriam, her husband Walter, his nephew Joshua; also Roberta’s family, Dora and Issy Greenfeld, and their daughter Sharon. Along with his immediate family, Freddy is survived by nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces in Seattle and London, England, and cousins in Israel and Winnipeg.
Freddy married Roberta in 1980. They had just celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary. Freddy loved his children, Aaron and Rachel. He would do anything for them, always at their beck and call. In return, they loved him dearly.
Freddy had a heart full of love and a way of making the people around him feel cared for and important. He always had time for stories, problems, joys and get-togethers. Freddy did not have a mean bone in his body. He was loved by all. He leaves behind a lifetime of beautiful memories that will be treasured and carried with us always. Though our hearts are broken by his absence, we are grateful for the years we were blessed to have him and for the love he gave us freely.
Freddy was an educator for 38 years. He loved teaching and the children he taught loved him. He just had a special way with them.
When Freddy retired, Roberta, his travel agent wife, took him to places he never dreamed of seeing. When asked about his favourites – it was difficult, but he said: Ireland, 3 River cruises and, of course, Liverpool – home of the Beatles. Also, in his retirement, he loved to bowl, curl, and play poker with his buddies.
Freddy fought his six-month battle with cancer fearlessly. He was a “Geeta Neshoma” – a kind soul, and a true Mensch. He always had a smile on his face. He will be remembered and loved forever by family and the so many friends he had. He passed away with dignity. God needed another angel.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the Simkin Centre staff for their compassionate care. Thank you to the MAID organization for their humanity.
The funeral took place Sept. 15th at the Chesed Shel Emes with Rabbi Matthew Leibl officiating, followed by interment at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery, with Rabbi Kliel Rose officiating. Pallbearers were: Sherman Greenfeld, Marty Greenfeld, Jack Solomon, Jeff Turbett, Rafi Mohammed, Ben Berkal. Shiva was held at the family residence.
If you so desire, donations may be made to Jewish organizations, Cancercare Manitoba, or the charity of your choice.
Comment from Randy Cramer (posted Oct. 15): Beautiful, right to the point
Obituaries
RUTH BILLINKOFF
Ruth Billinkoff passed away on September 15, 2026, at the age of 98. Born in Winnipeg to Morris and Jennie Lentz, immigrants from Poland, she was especially close to her sister, Lottie Rosenstock.
Ruth married Lou Billinkoff in 1951. Devoted to each other for 71 years, they loved travelling and raised their sons, Lorne and Errol on Elm Street, their home for 62 years.
Gifted with a remarkable voice, Ruth sang in school productions, music festivals, operettas and the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue Choir. She also taught kindergarten for many years at Hebrew schools. At home, she was an accomplished homemaker, cook and baker who cared deeply for her family.
Predeceased by Lou and her daughter-in-law, Marilyn, Ruth is survived by her sons, Lorne and Errol (Nicole Smith); grandchildren, Alix (Natan Cramer), Mitchell (Micaela Levi), Jordan and Asher; and great-grandchildren, Shalev, Boaz and Nava.
Ruth spent her final years at The Shaftesbury. Her family thanks Liza and her team, Dr. Marlie du Plessis and her assistant, Emily, for their compassionate care.
Ruth was laid to rest beside Lou at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on September 18. Pallbearers were Jordan, Mitchell and Asher Billinkoff, Daniel Bronstein, Ruben Levi and Max Asper.
Donations may be made to the Louis and Ruth Billinkoff Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or to a charity of your choice.

